Method for Establishing Promotional Progressive Jackpot Pools in Response to a Change in Mode

ABSTRACT

A method for establishing promotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools are provided. The system includes a host computer and a plurality of gaming machines playable by a plurality of players, connected to the host computer. Each gaming machine is playable in first and second modes selectable by the player and allows the player to select one of the first and second modes and to play the gaming machine in the selected one of the first and second modes. The promotional progressive jackpot pool is associated with the plurality of gaming machines. The host computer opens a data session on the host computer and records information in the data session on the host computer related to the player&#39;s play of the selected one of the gaming machines during the data session. The host computer closes the data session in response to the player choosing to play the game in the other of the first and second modes. Moreover, the method broadens the traditional scope of the progressive jackpot system to incorporate all slot machines and other casino revenue sources to be part of the promotional progressive jackpot system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS FROM WHICH PRIORITY IS CLAIMED

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/863,639, filed on Oct. 31, 2006, PCT Application Serial No.PCT/US2007/022956, filed Oct. 31, 2007 and U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 11/066,064 and 12/235,237, filed Feb. 25, 2005 and Sep. 22, 2008,respectively, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and moreparticularly, to a system and method for accumulating one or moreprogressive and hidden pools and for awarding promotional prizes orpromotional progressive jackpots to one or more players from thepool(s).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The growth and competition in the casino gaming market in recent yearsand the increasingly sophisticated and complex technology beingintegrated into the gaming environment, at the individual game, casinomanagement, and auditing levels, presents both challenges andopportunities to game manufacturers, gaming establishment operators, andregulatory agencies. The technological capabilities and requirements of,for example, advanced electronic games, multi-site gaming operations,detailed player tracking, wide area progressive jackpots, and variousalternatives to the use of currency and coins by players, all present apotentially huge pool of ever-changing data which can be of great valueto casino operators (from a management standpoint) and to regulatorsfrom an audit/compliance stand point.

One area that has received a lot of attention in recent years has beenproviding added incentives to players of electronic gaming machines,such as mechanical reel, video slot machines and video poker machines toincrease play and casino revenue. In order to attract more players tosuch gaming machines thereby increasing casino revenue, progressivegaming systems were developed. Progressives add to the excitement ofplay, the individual gaming machines are linked together to allowplayers to compete for an additional common awards or “progressivejackpot.” The progressive jackpot award can amount to large cash awards.Progressive gaming systems are also found in casinos throughout theworld. In some environments, the progressive jackpot award is anexpensive vehicle, such as a motorcycle or sports car.

The linking of a plurality of gaming machines to form a progressivesystem with a progressive jackpot is common in the casino gamingindustry. There are various ways in which the progressive jackpot may bedetermined. One way, for example, is to use a percentage of game play oneach of the linked machines in order to accumulate a progressivejackpot. Consequently, the jackpot value progresses until a wintranspires at one of the linked gaming machines. When a win occurs, themonetary value of the progressive jackpot is paid to the winning party.After the win, the system resets to a base jackpot value. This course ofaction then repeats as jackpots are won and game play continues.Traditionally in a progressive gaming system, a programmed controller isprovided for linking the machines together. The controller receives theunit bets from the linked machines as well as machine identificationinformation from each machine and supplies to the players, eitherthrough displays provided on their respective machines and/or a commonoverhead display, information as to the common progressive jackpot.

A progressive controller links the gaming machines to form theprogressive system and provides the means to accomplish, among otherthings, the course of action delineated above. In addition, electronictranslators have been interposed between gaming machines and theprogressive controller in order to link machines with differentdenominations, coin-in, hit frequencies, and other differing playcharacteristics. The following prior art reflects the state of the artof which applicant is aware and is included herewith to dischargeapplicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It isstipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly norrender obvious when considered in any conceivable combination thepresent invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and asparticularly claimed.

Prior Art for Progressive Gaming Systems

U.S. Pat. No. ISSUE DATE INVENTOR 4,837,728 Jun. 6, 1989 Barrie, et al.5,116,055 May 26, 1992 Tracy 5,249,800 Oct. 5, 1993 Hilgendorf, et al.5,344,144 Sep. 6, 1994 Canon 6,110,043 Aug. 29, 2000 Olsen

U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,728 to Barrie, et al. teaches the use of rapidlyincrementing multiple progressive gaming systems. One or more gamingcontrollers are coupled to a progressive controller. Coin drop and wininformation at each gaming controller is provided to and accumulated bythe progressive controller. Meter amounts generated at the progressivecontroller are transmitted back to the gaming controllers to providemultiple continually incrementing progressive bonus values. Upon gamewin, all gaming controllers not in play are reset to an initial startingvalue. Gaming controllers in play during a win are allowed to completeplay at a progressive bonus value as established at beginning of gameplay. Any additional wins generated during the completion interval arepaid at this progressive bonus value. A current progressive value isprovided to update the game controller either continually or upon gamecompletion. The game payouts are frozen upon detection of the coin dropso that the player knows the value(s) being played for.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,055 to Tracy teaches the use of a progressive gamingsystem in which the gaming machines are linked to the system havedifferent play characteristics, e.g. different Denominations and HitFrequencies, and wherein the system is further adapted such that thedollars contributed to the progressive jackpot for a machine per win onthat machine is approximately equal for the different machines.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,800 to Hilgendorf, et al. teaches the use of aprogressive controller and communication unit. The communication unit isused to control the information transmitted between a group of gamingmachines and the progressive controller. The communication unit collectscoin-in information from each of the gaming machines and transmits thisinformation to the progressive controller in response to periodicsignals from the progressive controller.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,144 to Canon teaches the use of an accumulator for amultiple jackpot gaming system wherein the accumulator has the facilityfor date stamping jackpot-wins, recording the identification of devicesand changes being made by such devices to its data and/or programming,allocating coins-in to one or more jackpot groups and/or to one or moreincrement rates assigned to a particular jackpot group, operate itsjackpot stack so as to clear stack positions immediately upon clearing ajackpot, and control jackpot handling from its main programming loop.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,043 to Olsen teaches a method of operating ofcontroller-based progressive gaming system having a plurality of gamingmachines wherein each gaming machine generates unit bet informationindicative of a number of unit bets supplied to a machine for playing agame. The method comprises the steps of randomly selecting a bonus modeactivation value between a high and low limit, providing a currentvalue, providing a base value, incrementing the current value when thegaming machines are played so that the current value is incremented by afixed amount of each unit bet received by each gaming machine. A bonusmode time period is entered when the incremented current value is equalto or exceeds the bonus value. Eligible machines are locked-in andrandom bonus jackpots are made during the bonus time period. Each bonusaward decrements the current value by the amount of each award and thebonus mode time period is ended when the current value is less than orequal to the base value.

The common thread in the prior art disclosed above is the use “jackpotcontrollers” to link a plurality of gaming machines together and themethod in which the progressive pool is accumulated. Traditionally, theprogressive jackpot pool is a constantly accumulating the progressivejackpot based on coin or credit-in, i.e., the tokens played by players,on a plurality of predetermined gaming machines which are physicallylinked to a “jackpot controller or device”. The progressive jackpot poolnormally starts at a predetermined minimal value that continuouslyincreases with player activity until some randomly chosen triggeringevent occurs. The progressive jackpot award is awarded to the playerunder some predetermined conditions, usually the prior art includes arandomly established maximum value as the trigger event.

As discussed in the prior art above, the progressive jackpot systemsutilize fixed add-on progressive controllers which operate independentof the host player tracking system. For example, when a casino wants toset up a progressive jackpot system, the progressive controller-basedsystem is limited to specific gaming machines linked to the progressivecontroller. A separate progressive controller must either be installedfor each gaming machine or the gaming machine physically linked to ashared separate progressive controller which is then in communicationwith the progressive jackpot system. One of the problems associated withthis type of system is that each of the gaming machines, such as a slotmachine, must be physically connected to the progressive controller bepart of a progressive jackpot. Furthermore, the configuration, i.e., thegaming machines included in the progressive system are fixed and noteasily changed. And finally, other casino revenue sources such astables, bingo, sports book, internet gaming, retail, hotel, services andso once cannot be part of a progressive jackpot.

Previously, progressive jackpot systems pay a progressive jackpot awardfrom a pool. Contributions to the pool are made in response to eachcredit wagers made by the players. The contributions are, typically,deducted from the wagers. Often each gaming machine that is part of thelinked progress must be manually configured to apply a percentage of itspay table or independent of its base pay table to one or moreprogressive jackpots. One problem with such a system deducting a portionof the wagers made to the gaming machine increases the complexity of thecasino's accounting and reporting. For example, the coin-in and payoutfor each gaming machine must be recorded and, generally, reported to agovernmental jurisdictional body, to ensure that the gaming machinemeets the jurisdiction's specifications. Removing a portion of the wagerto place in the pool, and then paying it out in a progressive jackpotaward, greatly increases the complexity in meeting these requirements.Additionally, the casino is typically not able to deduct the progressivejackpot awards or any other bonus tied to the progressive jackpot fromtheir gross gaming revenue.

The prior art progressive jackpot systems are inflexible, requirephysical connections to jackpot controllers, require manualconfiguration at the gaming machine and do not provide the casinooperator with the maximum benefit and advantages available from theinformation and systems now available. The present invention is aimed atproviding a promotional progressive jackpot system that accumulates oneor more promotional progressive jackpot and hidden pool(s) based on theever-changing data gathered by the casino operators. Moreover, thepresent invention broadens the traditional scope of the progressivejackpot system to incorporate all gaming machines as well as, othercasino revenue sources by eliminating the need for a physical connectionto a physical jackpot controller and manual configuration to be part ofthe progressive jackpot. Additionally, since in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the promotional progressive jackpot and other bonusawards can be cashable or non-cashable electronic promotions, whereallowed, the casino can deduct the awards from their gross gamingrevenue. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, theassociated hidden pool can not only be used to fund (be the initialvalue of) a subsequent promotional progressive jackpot but be used tofund smaller prizes and bonuses associated with the promotionalprogressive jackpot.

As disclosed in the cross reference to related applications, the playertracking device and system is used in conjunction with the host computer(player tracking database) to accumulate the promotional progressivejackpot and hidden pools and award promotional prizes and promotionalprogressive jackpot. By providing promotional progressive functionallyusing the casino management system infrastructure, the hardware andstaff cost saving and flexibility of this invention to the casinooperation is clearly an advantage over traditional external progressivegaming systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for establishingpromotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools is provided. The methodincludes the step of providing a plurality of gaming machines playableby a plurality of players. Each gaming machine is playable in first andsecond modes selectable by the player. The promotional progressivejackpot and hidden pools being are with the plurality of gamingmachines. The method includes the steps of opening a data session on thehost computer (player tracking database) in response to a first input byone of the players on a selected one of the gaming machines, allowingthe player to select one of the first and second modes and to play thegaming machine in the selected one of the first and second modes, andrecording information, in the data session on the host computer, relatedto the player's play of the selected one of the gaming machines duringthe data session. The method further includes the steps of closing thedata session in response to the player choosing to play the game in theother of the first and second modes and responsively (1) establishing afirst incremental value as a function of the recorded information in thedata session and adding the first incremental value to the promotionalprogressive jackpot pool and (2) awarding at least a portion of thepromotional progressive jackpot pool to a winning one of the players inresponse to an occurrence of predetermined promotional progressivejackpot conditions.

In a second aspect the present invention, a method for establishingpromotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools. The method includingthe step of providing a plurality of gaming machines playable by aplurality of players. Each gaming machine is playable in first andsecond modes selectable by the player. The promotional progressivejackpot and hidden pools are associated with the plurality of gamingmachines. The method includes the steps of opening a data session on thehost computer (player tracking database) in response to a first input byone of the players on a selected one of the gaming machines, allowingthe player to select one of the first and second modes and to play thegaming machine in the selected one of the first and second modes,detecting an occurrence of update data session criteria and responsively(1) recording information, in the data session on the host computer,related to the player's play of the selected one of the gaming machinesduring the data session and (2) establishing a first incremental valueas a function of the recorded information in the data session and addingthe first incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot andhidden pools. The further includes the steps of closing the data sessionin response to the player choosing to play the game in the other of thefirst and second modes, the step of closing the data session including(1) recording information, in the data session on the host computer,related to the player's play of the selected one of the gaming machinesduring the data session and (2) establishing a second incremental valueas a function of the recorded information in the data session and addingthe first incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot andhidden pools.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a system for establishingpromotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools. The system includes ahost computer (player tracking database) and a plurality of gamingmachines. The plurality of gaming machines are playable by a pluralityof players and are operatively connected to the host computer. Eachgaming machine is playable in first and second modes selectable by theplayer. The promotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools areassociated with the plurality of gaming machines. The host computer foropening a data session on the host computer in response to a first inputby one of the players on a selected one of the gaming machines. Eachgaming machine allows the player to select one of the first and secondmodes and to play the gaming machine in the selected one of the firstand second modes. The host computer records information in the datasession on the host computer related to the player's play of theselected one of the gaming machines during the data session and closesthe data session in response to the player choosing to play the game inthe other of the first and second modes and responsively (1)establishing a first incremental value as a function of the recordedinformation in the data session and adding the first incremental valueto the promotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools and (2) awardingat least a portion of the promotional progressive jackpot pool to awinning one of the players in response to an occurrence of predeterminedpromotional progressive jackpot conditions.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a system for establishingpromotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools is provided. The systemincludes a host computer (player tracking database), gaming machines andother casino revenue sources such as, bingo, sports book, retail, hoteland associated services, and so on. The host computer receives a signallogging into and/or playing and/or using the associated casino services.The host computer receives the signal and responsively determines afirst incremental value as a function of a historical composite value inresponse to receiving the signal from the gaming machine and othercasino revenue sources and responsively adding the first incrementalvalue to the promotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a promotional progressive jackpot system,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 a is a block diagram of a multi-site system for providingpromotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools, according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming machine of the system;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for accumulating progressivejackpot and hidden pools according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and,

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for accumulating progressivejackpot and hidden pools according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention is a system 10 and a method for establishing oneor more promotional progressive and hidden bonus pool(s). Referring tothe Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, the system is generally shown at 10 inFIG. 1. The system 10 includes one or more gaming machines 12 and a hostcomputer 14 in communication via a network 16 with each gaming machine12.

In one aspect of the present invention, the system 10 is part of aplayer tracking system. In the player tracking system 10, the player 18,such as a player or other patron is identified via a player trackingcard and/or a player identification number entered into a playertracking device (not shown) at each EGM 12. The player tracking deviceand system is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/235,237, filed on Sep. 22, 2008 (Docket No. 060790-00131),which is hereby incorporated by reference in it entirety. Playertracking accounts may be used, generally, to provide bonuses to aplayer, in addition to the award designated by, in the case of a videoslot or poker machine, the EGM's 12 pay table. These bonuses may beawarded to the player 18 based a set of criteria, including, but notlimited to, a) the player's play on the machine 12, b) the player'soverall play, c) play during a predetermined period of time, and d) theplayer's birthday or anniversary, or e) any other definable criteria.Additionally, bonuses may be awarded on a random basis, i.e., to arandomly chosen player or randomly chosen game 12. Bonuses may also beawarded in a discretionary manner or based on other criteria, such as,purchases made at a gift shop or other affiliated location. In oneaspect, the bonuses may be in the form of bonus points or advancedincentive points which may be exchanged for goods and/or services ordownloaded to a gaming machine 12 for use and/or play. Downloaded bonuspoints may be cashable or non-cashable.

In one aspect of the present invention, the promotional progressivejackpot and hidden pools are used to fund a promotional progressivejackpot which is awarded to one or more players under a set ofpredetermined rules. For example, a promotional progressive jackpot maybe awarded to a player whose contribution to the promotional progressivejackpot and hidden pools results in the pool reaching or surpassing apredetermined value. In another example, a promotional jackpot game maybe initialized under a set of predetermined rules. A promotionalprogressive jackpot may be paid from the promotional progressive jackpotpool to one or more winners of the promotional progressive jackpot game.Contributions may also be made to one or more hidden pools, which may beused to initial or seed the promotional progressive pool, when the poolis initialized or after a promotional progressive jackpot has beenawarded. One system for awarding a promotional progressive jackpot isdisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/779,537, filed on Jul. 18, 2007 (Docket No. 060518-00648), which ishereby incorporated by reference in it entirety.

A promotional progressive jackpot may be a number of advanced incentivepoints (which may be designated as cashable or non-cashable) or may befor a specified good and/or service (which may have a value defined interms of advanced incentive points).

Gaming Machines

Gaming machines 12A-12I include, but are not limited to, electronicgaming machines (EGM) (such as video slot, video poker machines, videoarcade games or slot machines with mechanical reels), virtual gamingmachines, e.g., for online gaming, an interface to a table managementsystem for table games, online bingo, online keno, point of saleterminals, online hotel folios, kiosk devices or any other deviceconnected to the system. In the illustrated embodiments, eightelectronic gaming machines 12A-12H are shown in FIG. 1. However, itshould be noted that the present invention is not limited to any numberor type of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming machines 12are organized in banks, with each bank containing a plurality of gamingmachines. Other types of gaming machines 12 which may be included areindicated with reference number 12I. Other types of machines or othercasino revenue sources, such as kiosks, point of sale devices, aredesignated 12J.

Alternatively, the gaming machines 12 could be grouped by various dollardenominations or specific game designs or themes (not shown) as is wellknown in the art. For example, each gaming machine 12 may be playableusing different denominations, e.g., a penny video slot machine game ora nickel video slot machine. In one embodiment, the denomination used orplayed is selectable by the casino. In another embodiment, the playermay be given a choice of denominations.

Additionally, a gaming machine 12 may be able to play different games orthe same game with different themes, symbols, etc. . . .

The gaming machine 12 allows each player 18 to establish a first inputon the gaming machine 12C. The first input is related to the player'susage of gaming machines 12. The first input could include the playerlogging into, playing and/or using the gaming machine 12 for othertransactions. The other transactions could include, but are not limitedto, playing the game, a table game, use of a point of sale terminal,kiosk transactions with the player's account or purchases. The firstinput is accomplished via mechanical switches, buttons, a touch screeninterface, player input sensing device (not shown), etc. Such gamingmachines 12 are well known in the art and are therefore not furtherdiscussed. The gaming machine 12C in response to the first input by theplayer 18 sends a signal to the host computer 14 (player trackingdatabase).

The gaming machines 12 are playable by a plurality of players. Eachplayer 18 selects one gaming machine 12C to play and insert cash,credit, coupon, player tracking card, etc. into the gaming machine 12C.Generally, the gaming machines 12 have an associated number of creditsor coins required in order to play. In the case of video slot or pokergames, the game is played and an award in the form of credits may beawarded to the player based on a pay table associated with the gamingmachine. Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a suitable gamingmachine 12C is shown. The gaming machine 12C comprises a gamecontroller, or central processing unit 20 (CPU), a coin-bill managementdevice 22, a display processor 24, a RAM 26 (generally provided as amemory device), and a ROM 28 (generally provided as an EPROM), and aplayer tracking device 30 (described in more detail below). The CPU 20performs various calculations and motion control necessary for theprogress of the game. The coin-bill management device 22 detects theinsertion of the coins and/or the bills and performs a necessary processfor managing the coins and the bills. The display processor 24interprets commands issued from the CPU 20 and displays desirable imageson a gaming display 32. The RAM 26 temporarily stores programs and datanecessary for the progress of the game, and the ROM 28 stores, inadvance, programs and data for controlling basic operation of the gamingmachine 12C, such as the booting operation thereof, game code, andgraphics.

Host Computer (Player Tracking Database)

The gaming machines 12 are connected via the network 16 to one or morehost computers 14. The host computer 14 is generally located at a remoteor central location, and is generally shown in FIG. 1. The host computer14 includes a computer program application 34 which maintains one ormore databases 36, which in one embodiment, determines an incrementalvalue as a function of a historical composite value, and accumulates apromotional progressive jackpot pool 38, and hidden pool 40. As shown inFIG. 1 a, the promotional progressive gaming system 10 could furtherinclude additional host computers 14. The host computers 14 in thisembodiment are in communication via the network 16 to determine thepromotional progressive jackpot 38 and hidden pool 40 over multiplesites or casino properties.

In one embodiment, the database(s) 36 of the promotional progressivejackpot system 10 are Oracle database(s). The computer programapplication 34 utilizes databases 36 to record, track, and reportaccounting information regarding the gaming machines 12 and the players.Additionally, the computer program application 34 and the databases 36are used to maintain information related to the player 18 and the gamingmachine 12C in communication with the host computer 14. The hostcomputer 14 could incorporate a player or player tracking system or anadditional player tracking system may be utilized to identify for thehost computer 14 the player 18 at each gaming machine 12. The computerprogram application 34 logs the first inputs of the player 18 andvarious additional activities on the gaming machine 12 in a database 36on the host computer 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the host computer 14 includes a playertracking database 42 for each player 18 registered with the casino orgaming facility, also known as a carded player or player to thoseskilled in the art. In addition, the host computer 14 includes a machinefinancial accounting database 44 for each gaming machine 12 incommunication with the host computer 14. The host computer 14 througheither communication with the gaming machine 12 and the player trackingdatabase 42 or optionally through the player tracking system identifiesthe player 18 at the gaming machine 12C. The computer programapplication 34 stores the identified player's first inputs as data inthe player tracking database 42. The player tracking database 42 canfurther include additional data related to activity by the player 18 onthe gaming machine 12. Such additional data may include, but not limitedto, the player's usage on the gaming machine 12, the wagers, the amountwon, the amount lost, and the purchases by the player 18. Theflexibility of the system allows for the casino operator to configurethe gathering of additional data and/or additional databases 36 tounderstand the activity of the player 18 in the gaming facility.

The machine financial accounting database 44 includes as data the firstinputs for each gaming machine 12 in communication with the hostcomputer 14. The machine financial accounting database 44 may include asdata the wagers placed at each gaming machine 12, the amount won or paidout to the player 18, the amount lost by the player 18 at the gamingmachine 12, and the purchases placed at the gaming machine 12. Themachine financial accounting database 44 can further include as datasuch information about the player 18 that has established the firstinput into the gaming machine 12. In addition, the casino operator canconfigure the storing of additional parameters for determining ortracking the gaming activity at each gaming machine 12A-12I.

The computer program application 34 utilizes various parametersprogrammable or configurable by the casino or gaming facility todetermine a contribution to the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38and/or the hidden pool 40.

Player Session Ratings

In one aspect of the present invention, a contribution to thepromotional progressive jackpot pool and/or the hidden pool is made whena session is updated with data and/or at the termination of a session. Asession is a period during which a gaming machine 12 is being used by aplayer and during which information related to the player(s)' use of thegaming machine is recorded, e.g., wager, coin-in, and payoutinformation. The recorded information may be used to determine whether acontribution to the promotional progressive jackpot pool and/or hiddenpool is made, and if so, the value thereof.

In one aspect of the present invention, a session may be opened:

(a) when a player logs (or is logged) onto a gaming machine 12 andbegins using the gaming machine 12 through play or use (such as througha purchase on a point of sale device or viewing of information on akiosk or property management system or remote or Internet gaming systemsassociated with the casino),

(b) while a player is logged in and after a closing of the previoussession (see below),

(c) at the start of anonymous use of the gaming machine 12, and/or

(d) other predetermined criteria.

In another aspect of the present invention, a session may be updated:

(a) after a predetermined amount of use (based on time and/or amountwagered during the current session,

(b) when the player logs out,

(c) when a transaction is completed, e.g., at a point of sale terminal,

(d) other predetermined criteria.

In one aspect of the present invention, the data session is updated whenthe data session is closed. In one aspect of the present invention, thedata session is closed when the player changes modes, for example:

(a) at a gaming machine which offers different games and/or themes, whenthe player changes games and/or themes, and/or,

(b) at a gaming machine which offers the ability to play at differentdenominations, when the player changes denominations.

In another aspect, the data session may be closed:

(a) after a predetermined amount of use (e.g., based on time and/oramount wagered during the current session,

(b) when the player logs out,

(c) when a transaction is completed, e.g., at a point of sale terminal,and/or

(d) other predetermined criteria.

Typically, a contribution to the promotional progressive jackpot pooland/or hidden pool is made when the session is updated and/or at theclose of each session. The value of the contributions, i.e., the firstand second incremental values, may be determined as a function of thetotal amount of wagers or transactions in the session and/or ahistorical composite value and/or a theoretical win percentage.Typically, one or more of the following may be multiplied bypredetermined percentage(s) in determining the value of the contributionand/or other values, such as the total number of wagers or purchases inthe session.

Theoretical Win or Hold Percentage

The contribution to either pool may be determined as function of apredetermined theoretical win or hold percentage. In one aspect of theinvention, each gaming machine 12 has a theoretical hold percentage. Thetheoretical hold percentage may be defined as the casino orestablishment's estimated, average revenue percentage. For example, ifthe gaming machine 12 is a slot machine, the hold percentage is theexpect house's estimate, average take or revenue for a particularmachine. For a point of sale terminal, such as a cash register, thetheoretical hold percentage may be set to an estimated profit percentagefor the given cash register or the merchandise or service.

The contribution to either pool may therefore be determined bymultiplying the theoretical hold percentage by one or more other values:including, but not limited to:

(a) total value of wagers or purchases or transaction in the sessionand/or

(b) total number of wagers or purchases or transaction in the sessionand/or

(c) a predetermined or constant percentage and/or

(d) a historical composite value (see below).

One system and method for establishing A promotional progressive jackpotpool as a function of a theoretical hold percentage is disclosed incommonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/066,064, filed onFeb. 25, 2005 and titled, “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING APROGRESSIVE JACKPOT AWARD”, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Historical Composite Value

In one aspect of the present invention, the contribution is determinedas a function of a historical composite value to calculate a firstincremental value and, optionally, one or more second incrementalvalue(s). The host computer 14 and the computer program application 34determine the first incremental value and optionally the secondincremental value in response to each signal from the plurality ofgaming machines 12 in communication with the host computer 14.

The parameters to determine the historical composite value could includevarious data gathered by the promotional progressive jackpot system 10and stored within the databases 36. The historical composite value isthen multiplied by a percentage or other function to determine a firstincremental value and optionally a second incremental value to be addedto the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 and the hidden pool 40respectively.

In one aspect, the historical composite value could be established froma variety of the data stored in the player tracking database 42 and/orthe machine financial accounting database 44. The historical compositevalue could be determined based on the data stored in the playertracking database 42. The computer program application 34 can determinethe historical composite value as data averaged over a period of time.The period of time is configurable by the casino operator to have thehistorical composite value equate to an average wager, an average amountwon, and/or an average loss by the player identified at the gamingmachine 12. The computer program application 34 uses the historicalcomposite value to determine the first incremental value as a function,usually a percentage, of the historical composite value. The computerprogram application 34 determines the first incremental value each timethe gaming machine 12 sends a signal indicating the first input by theplayer 18 on the gaming machine 12C.

In a second aspect, the historical composite value could be establishedbase on various data stored and gathered within the machine financialaccounting database 44 by the promotional progressive jackpot system 10.The historical composite value can be data averaged over a period oftime such as the wagers, amount won, amount lost or the house take fromthe gaming machine 12. The period of time is configurable by the casinooperator to have the historical composite value equate to an averagewager, an average amount won, and/or an average amount lost and/or anaverage house take from each gaming machine 12. The computer programapplication 34 uses the historical composite value to determine thefirst incremental value as a function, usually a percentage, of thehistorical composite value. The computer program application 34determines the first incremental value each time the gaming machine 12sends a signal indicating the first input by the player 18 on the gamingmachine 12C.

In one aspect of the present invention, the historical composite valuedoes not include, or is not based on, the current (or last) wager orsets of wagers. In another aspect of the present invention, thehistorical composite value is only based on data from closed datasessions.

Alternatively, the historical composite value could be determined byvarious data stored in either the player or machine databases 42, 44.The historical composite value could be determined over a period of timeto generally equate to the average take, average coins wagered, or anycombination of the data stored in the player tracking database 42 andthe machine financial accounting database 44. In addition, thehistorical composite value could be a configurable parameter in thecomputer program application 34 sampled over a period of time andinclude data specific to the player, the player tracking database 42,and/or data specific to the gaming machine 12, the machine financialaccounting database 44 and alternatively any combination thereof.

The contribution to either pool may therefore be determined bymultiplying the historical composite value by one or more other values:including, but not limited to:

(a) total value of wagers or purchases or transaction in the sessionand/or

(b) total number of wagers or purchases or transaction in the sessionand/or

(c) a predetermined or constant percentage and/or

(d) the theoretical hold percentage (see above).

Promotional Progressive Jackpots

In one aspect of the present invention, the promotional progressivejackpot pool 38 is accumulated by the host computer 14. The hostcomputer 14 continuously updates the promotional progressive jackpotpool 38 by adding the first incremental value in response to the signalfrom the gaming machine 12.

With reference to FIG. 3, a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. FIG. 3 shows a method for establishing Apromotional progressive jackpot pool. In a first step 46, a plurality ofgaming machines 12 playable by a plurality of players is provided. Inone aspect, each gaming machine 12 may be playable in first and secondmodes selectable by the player. The promotional progressive jackpot poolmay be associated with the plurality of gaming machines 12. In a secondstep 48, a data session may be opened on the host computer 14 inresponse to a first input by one of the players on a selected one of thegaming machines. As discussed above, the input may be the act, by theplayer, of logging onto the selected one of the gaming machines. Or ifthe player's play is anonymous, by use of the machine by the player.

In a third step 50, the player is allowed to select one of the first andsecond modes and to play the gaming machine 12 in the selected one ofthe first and second modes. As discussed above, the modes may be relatedto the player's choice of games on a multi-game gaming machine and/or achoice of denomination on a multi-denomination gaming machine and/ornumber of credits wagered. After the player's choice is made, the playermay begin using or playing the gaming machine. In a first decision block52, if predefined criteria requiring an update of the session are met(see above), then the method proceeds to a fourth step 54. Otherwise themethod proceeds to the second decision block 58.

In a fourth step 54, information related to the player's play of thegame, for example, wagers or wager information, is recorded on the hostcomputer in the data session. In one aspect, the information recordedmay be related to the player's play of the selected one of the gamingmachines during the data session (see above).

In a fifth step 56, an incremental value may be established as afunction of the recorded information in the data session and added to apromotional progressive jackpot pool. In one embodiment, the step ofestablishing the incremental value as a function of the recordedinformation in the data session adding the first incremental value to apromotional progressive jackpot pool is performed each time wagerinformation is updated in the data session. In one embodiment, the firstincremental amount is established as a function of the updated wagerinformation.

In the second decision block 58, if the player changes mode, e.g., bychanging the game or denomination being played, then control proceeds toa sixth step 60. Otherwise, the method returns to the first decisionblock 52.

In the sixth step 60, the data session may be closed in response to theplayer choosing to play the game in the other of the first and secondmodes and the data session is updated. For example, in a multi-gamegaming machine 12, if the player changes games, the data session may beclosed. Or if the gaming machine 12 may be played with differentdenominations, then if the player switches denominations, then thecurrent data session may be closed. Or if the gaming machine 12 may beplaced with different credit wager amounts, i.e., may credit or a numberof credits less than max credit, then if the player switchesdenominations, then the current data session may be closed. In oneaspect of the present invention, a new data session may be automaticallyopened when the previous data session is closed (unless the data sessionis closed because the player has logged out or otherwise terminatedplay).

In a seventh step 62, an incremental value may be established as afunction of the recorded information in the data session and adding thefirst incremental value to A promotional progressive jackpot pool. Inone embodiment, the step of establishing a first incremental value as afunction of the recorded information in the data session and adding thefirst incremental value to A promotional progressive jackpot pool isperformed each time wager information is updated in the data session. Inone embodiment, the first incremental amount is established as afunction of the updated wager information.

In one embodiment the first incremental amount is a function of theupdated wager information multiplied by a predetermined percentage. Inanother embodiment, the first incremental amount is a function of theupdated wager information multiplied by a theoretical hold percentageassociated with the selected one of the gaming machines.

In one aspect of the present invention, the theoretical hold percentageis dependent upon the selected one of the first and second modes. Forexample, in a multi-game game, each game playable on the selected one ofthe gamine machines 12 may have a different theoretical hold. Thus, theincremental amount may be determined as a function of the theoreticalhold of the game in the mode being played.

In a seventh step 58, at least a portion of the promotional progressivejackpot pool may be awarded to a progressive winning one of the playersin response to an occurrence of predetermined progressive jackpotconditions.

Additionally, a current data session may be closed (and a new datasession may be opened) in response to:

(a) passage of a predetermined amount of time;

(b) after the one of the players logs out;

(c) after a predetermined number of wagers in the data session; and,

(d) after a predetermined value of wagers in the data session and (e)other predetermined criteria.

With reference to FIG. 4, in one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in a first step 66, the promotional progressive jackpotsystem 10 allows the player 18 to establish a first input into thegaming machine 12C. As previously discussed, the first input mayinclude, but not limited to, the player logging into, playing and/orusing the gaming machine for other transactions. In a second step 64,the gaming machine 12C sends the signal in response to the first inputby the player 18. The promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 iscontributed to by the plurality of gaming machines 12 in communicationvia the network 16 with the host computer 14. There may be additionalrestrictions or qualifications that the player 18 must meet to winand/or contribute to the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38, i.e.,maximum wager, identified player or some other configurable parametersor restrictions set by the casino operator.

In a third step 70, the host computer 14 determines the firstincremental value upon each signal received from the plurality of gamingmachines 12A-12I indicating the first input by the player 18 on thegaming machine 12C. The first incremental value is determined as afunction of the historical composite value. The function in theillustrated embodiment is a percentage of the historical compositevalue. However, the first incremental value could also be determined thefunction and configurable by the casino operator. In a fourth step 66,the first incremental value is responsively added into the promotionalprogressive jackpot pool 38. The promotional progressive jackpot pool 38is continuously updated by the host computer 14 with each addition ofthe first incremental value as determined based on signals received fromthe plurality of gaming machines 12.

The computer program application 34 may include parameters to allow forthe casino operator to set the function that determines the firstincremental value and optionally a second incremental value. Thefunction and second function used can be a percentage of the historicalcomposite value, or any additional function configurable within thecomputer program application 34 by the casino operator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the promotional progressive jackpotsystem 10 may include a hidden pool 40. The hidden pool 40 can be usedto initially fund the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 to aminimum value after a triggering event. In addition, the hidden pool 40could be used to fund secondary prizes. The secondary prizes may includecompensation for entertainment ticket, credits at the casino, foodand/or rooms comps as just a few examples of the potentially unlimitedsecondary prizes.

The hidden pool 40 is accumulated by the computer program application 34determining a second incremental value as a second function of ahistorical composite value. The second function in the illustratedembodiment is usually a percentage and may be the same as the functionto determine the first incremental value. However, the second functionis configurable by the casino operator to satisfy the funds needed tomaintain the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38. The host computer14 determines the second incremental value upon each signal receivedfrom the plurality of gaming machines 12 indicating the first input bythe player 18 on the gaming machine 12C. The second incremental value isresponsively added into the hidden pool 40. The hidden pool 40 iscontinuously updated by the host computer 14 with each addition of thesecond incremental value. The hidden pool 40 can be configured by thecasino operator establishing a maximum value for the hidden pool 40. Thesecond incremental value is determined and added to the hidden pool 40only when the hidden pool 40 is below the maximum value. The hidden pool40 can be transferred into the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38after the awarding of the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 toestablish a minimum value or initial value of the promotionalprogressive jackpot pool 38.

Awarding

At least a portion of the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 isawarded to the player 18 in response to the occurrence of a triggerevent. The host computer 14 determines if the trigger event hasoccurred. The host computer 14 awards the promotional progressivejackpot pool 38 in response to the trigger event to the player 18 thatsatisfied or caused the trigger event. The trigger event could include aplaying of a promotional progressive jackpot game and the winning of thepromotional progressive game as the trigger event. Such promotionalprogressive jackpot games may include, but not limited to, a game ofchance, a lottery, a lotto-type game, a random drawing, and a game ofskill and/or strategy.

In another embodiment the trigger event could be defined as thepromotional progressive jackpot pool 38 being greater than or equal to atrigger value. The promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 is awarded tothe player 18 that the first incremental value in response to thatplayer's first input when added to the promotional progressive jackpotpool 38 became greater than or equal to the trigger value. Typically inthis instance the host computer 14 randomly establishes the triggervalue and awards the promotional progressive jackpot pool 38 when thepromotional progressive jackpot pool 38 is greater than or equal to thetrigger value.

In another embodiment based upon the promotional progressive jackpottriggering event, supplemental prizes, such as cashable or non-cashableelectronic promotional credits and other prizes may be awarded to theplayer 18 from the hidden pools 40 based upon various casino operatorcriteria configured in the promotional progressive jackpot game.Furthermore, the supplemental prizes may be fixed or variable amounteither based upon the casino operator criteria or based upon playeractivity criteria from the player tracking database 10.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A method for establishing a promotional progressive jackpot pool, themethod including the steps of: providing a plurality of gaming machinesplayable by a plurality of players, each gaming machine being playablein first and second modes selectable by the player, the promotionalprogressive jackpot pool being associated with the plurality of gamingmachines, wherein each of the first and second modes has a respectivetheoretical hold percentage associated therewith; opening a data sessionon a host computer in response to a first input by one of the players ona selected one of the gaming machines; allowing the player to select oneof the first and second modes and to play the gaming machine in theselected one of the first and second modes; sending information, in thedata session, from the selected one of the gaming machine to the hostcomputer, related to the player's play of the selected one of the gamingmachines during the data session and recording the information in adatabase on the host computer in response to a predetermined trigger;and, closing the data session in response to the player choosing to playthe game in the other of the first and second modes and responsively (1)establishing, by the host computer, a first incremental value as afunction of the recorded information in the data session and thetheoretical hold percentage associated with the selected one of thefirst and second modes and adding the first incremental value to thepromotional progressive jackpot pool and (2) awarding at least a portionof the promotional progressive jackpot pool to a winning one of theplayers in response to an occurrence of predetermined promotionalprogressive jackpot conditions.
 2. A method, as set forth in claim 1,wherein the first input is an occurrence of the one of the playerslogging onto the selected one of the gaming machines, the methodincluding the step of opening a new data session after the previous datasession has been closed.
 3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, whereinthe information recorded in the data session includes wager(s) placed bythe one of the players, the data session being updated with wagerinformation in response to each wager being made.
 4. A method, as setforth in claim 3, wherein the step of establishing a first incrementalvalue as a function of the recorded information in the data session andadding the first incremental value to the promotional progressivejackpot pool is performed each time wager information is updated in thedata session.
 5. A method, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the firstincremental amount is established as a function of the updated wagerinformation.
 6. A method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the firstincremental amount is a function of the updated wager informationmultiplied by a predetermined percentage.
 7. A method, as set forth inclaim 5, wherein the first incremental amount is a function of theupdated wager information multiplied by the theoretical hold percentageassociated with the selected one of the first and second modes.
 8. Amethod, as set forth in claim 1, including the step of closing the datasession in response to one of the following: (a) passage of apredetermined amount of time; (b) after the one of the players logs out;(c) after a predetermined number of wagers in the data session; and, (d)after a predetermined value of wagers in the data session.
 9. A method,as set forth in claim 1, wherein the selected one of the gaming machinesallows the player to play a game in first and second denominations, theplayer allowed to play the game in the first denomination in the firstmode and in the second denomination in the second mode.
 10. A method, asset forth in claim 1, wherein the selected one of the gaming machinesallows the player to play a first game and a second game, the playerallowed to play the first game in the first mode and the second game inthe second mode.
 11. A method for establishing A promotional progressivejackpot pool, the method including the steps of: providing a pluralityof gaming machines playable by a plurality of players, each gamingmachine being playable in first and second modes selectable by theplayer, the promotional progressive jackpot pool being associated withthe plurality of gaming machines; opening a data session on a hostcomputer in response to a first input by one of the players on aselected one of the gaming machines; allowing the player to select oneof the first and second modes and to play the gaming machine in theselected one of the first and second modes, wherein each of the firstand second modes has a respective theoretical hold percentage associatedtherewith; detecting an occurrence of update data session criteria andresponsively (1) sending information, in the data session, from theselected one of the gaming machines to the host computer, related to theplayer's play of the selected one of the gaming machines during the datasession and recording the information on the host computer and (2)establishing a first incremental value as a function of the recordedinformation in the data session and the theoretical hold percentageassociated with the selected one of the first and second modes andadding the first incremental value to the promotional progressivejackpot pool; and, closing the data session in response to the playerchoosing to play the game in the other of the first and second modes,the step of closing the data session including (1) sending information,in the data session, from the selected one of the gaming machines to thehost computer, related to the player's play of the selected one of thegaming machines during the data session and recording the information onthe host computer and (2) establishing a second incremental value as afunction of the recorded information in the data session and thetheoretical hold percentage associated with the other of the first andsecond modes and adding the second incremental value to the promotionalprogressive jackpot pool.
 12. A system for establishing A promotionalprogressive jackpot pool, comprising: a host computer; and, a pluralityof gaming machines playable by a plurality of players and beingoperatively connected to the host computer, each gaming machine beingplayable in first and second modes selectable by the player, thepromotional progressive jackpot pool being associated with the pluralityof gaming machines wherein each of the first and second modes has arespective theoretical hold percentage associated therewith, the hostcomputer for opening a data session on the host computer in response toa first input by one of the players on a selected one of the gamingmachines, each gaming machine for allowing the player to select one ofthe first and second modes and to play the gaming machine in theselected one of the first and second modes, the selected one of the gamemachines for sending information related to the player's play of theselected one of the gaming machines to the host computer, the hostcomputer for recording the information in the data session on the hostcomputer, for closing the data session in response to the playerchoosing to play the game in the other of the first and second modes andresponsively (1) establishing a first incremental value as a function ofthe recorded information in the data session and the theoretical holdpercentage associated with the selected one of the first and secondmodes and adding the first incremental value to the promotionalprogressive jackpot pool and (2) awarding at least a portion of thepromotional progressive jackpot pool to a winning one of the players inresponse to an occurrence of predetermined promotional progressivejackpot conditions.
 13. A system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein thefirst input is an occurrence of the one of the players logging onto theselected one of the gaming machines, the host computer for opening a newdata session after the previous data session has been closed.
 14. Asystem, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the information recorded inthe data session includes wager(s) placed by the one of the players, thedata session being updated with wager information in response to eachwager being made.
 15. A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein thehost computer establishes a first incremental value as a function of therecorded information in the data session and adds the first incrementalvalue to the promotional progressive jackpot pool each time wagerinformation is updated in the data session.
 16. A system, as set forthin claim 15, wherein the first incremental amount is established as afunction of the updated wager information.
 17. A system, as set forth inclaim 16, wherein the first incremental amount is a function of theupdated wager information multiplied by a theoretical hold percentageassociated with the selected one of the gaming machines.
 18. A system,as set forth in claim 12, the host computer for closing the data sessionin response to one of the following: (a) passage of a predeterminedamount of time; (b) after the one of the players logs out; (c) after apredetermined number of wagers in the data session; and, (d) after apredetermined value of wagers in the data session.
 19. A system, as setforth in claim 12, wherein the selected one of the gaming machinesallows the player to play a game in first and second denominations, theplayer allowed to play the game in the first denomination in the firstmode and in the second denomination in the second mode.
 20. A system, asset forth in claim 12, wherein the selected one of the gaming machinesallows the player to play a first game and a second game, the playerallowed to play the first game in the first mode and the second game inthe second mode.